Braves postgame quotes after Friday’s win over Astros
Vivlamore reporting from Turner Field.
Fredi Gonzalez
On difference in Tim Hudson after 25-pitch first inning: “I saw him settle down. I really did. I thought he got stronger as the game progressed. I thought it was one of those crazy games where we kept letting them hang around and hang around. I thought it was going to come around and bite us a little bit. [Eric] O’Flaherty did a terrific job [in relief of Hudson]. Huddy did a hell of a job battling through that stuff. And then [Craig] Kimbrel shut the door. We only got six hits but we walked eight times. We were patient with [Astros starter Armando] Galarraga. He wiggled out of a few jams himself. We could have used a couple more runs but didn’t get them. It didn’t come back and bite us.”
On importance of Hudson giving bullpen a break: “It gave the bullpen some much needed rest. It really did. We were trying to push him as far as we could take him. I think whether, talking to Roger [McDowell] had [Ben Francisco] gotten on, he would have been his last batter anyway. He was 116 pitches. I don’t think we’ve touched that with him all year. But he did a terrific job, not only getting the win but freshening up the bullpen a little bit.”
On trying to talk Chipper into not retiring: “He got a big two-run double. [Martin] Prado had an off day yesterday and it helped him. He got two doubles. Dan [Uggla] got an RBI double. It counts. The way he’s been going we’ll take it. Hopefully that will get him going.”
On words between Prado and Galaragga: “I don’t know. At first I thought the was yelling at the umpire. Just a couple guys in the sandbox. Boys will be boys, that’s all.”
On it appearing Galaragga was taking his time delivering to plate: “Again, I was kind of laughing at it because I thought he was yelling at the umpire or the catcher. I don’t know how Prado got in the middle of it.”
Martin Prado
On getting two doubles after day off: “It’s hard for me to understand that after a day off the next day [I got two hits]. I understand that sometimes we need a rest. We play so hard every day. I guess the body just breaks down a little bit. I felt pretty good today. My body was recharged today. I’m hoping that I can just go all the way through to the end.”
On the words with Galarraga: “It was a misunderstanding. He was trying to do his thing. I heard something that I probably couldn’t understand because I was so locked in my at-bat. I’m a good friend with him. It is what it is. When we play between those lines we were just battling. He was just trying to get me out. I was trying to get a hit in that situation. Nothing major.
On whether Galarraga was taking too long to come to plate: “He was trying to figure out what pitch he was going to use in that count. I was so locked in in that at-bat I probably heard something else. Nothing major.
On Hudson’s performance: “That’s what we expect every time he pitches. That’s what we expect. He is so intense every time he pitches, even before the game he gets fired up. It’s kind of contagious. Everybody knows he is going to bring it. That’s what he does every time he takes the mound.”
Tim Hudson
On the difference after the 25-pitch first inning: “It’s just one of those things were they took some pitches and got me behind in the count a little bit. I had to work a little bit to get out of it. I was able to have a couple shorter innings later on. Any time I have an inning like that, when I throw 20, 30 pitches, I hope to have a single-digit pitch inning at some point, try to get back those pitches. I was able to do that. The guys were playing some good defense behind me. I was trying to keep those guys in the game, throw strikes and let them put it in play.”
On whether he was ready to come out after 116 pitches: “I wasn’t too bad. I’m glad I was able to go out there and pitch into the eighth and get my pitch count up a little bit. A lot of my games this year I’ve been pretty efficient. There are going to be times when I go five or six innings and have 110 pitches. Tonight was a game where I was able, almost from a conditioning standpoint, get up there and work and try to make some pitches with a high pitch count for a change. Obviously, I want to have as many low pitch count games as I can but at some point later this year, probably in games that mean something, I’m going to have to make some pitches when I’m tired. That was a good test.”
On Chipper Jones: “I don’t think he’s human. I think he’s a machine. He’s a damn good ball player.”
On trying to save the bullpen: “You are aware of it but honestly every game I try to go as deep as I can. If I don’t get into the seventh inning, I don’t feel like I’ve done my job. Anything after that is a cherry on top. After the first inning my pitch count was kind of high and it wasn’t looking like I was going to be able to go terribly deep in the game. I was able to have some quicker innings. A nice lead helps out too. I am able to go up there and hit for myself and have three at-bats. A lot of time the game dictates me getting pinch-hit for that throws another inning on your bullpen. The leads always help. When you have a lead the manager can let you go up there and get a third at-bat and try to squeak out another inning or two.”
- Chris Vivlamore
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
154 comments Add your comment
Chris Vivlamore
August 3rd, 2012
11:50 pm
Wanted to say thanks for Braves bloggers patience with me tonight.
The Firm of Bristol, Haas, and Tanner
August 4th, 2012
12:01 am
Good job, Chris.
Alex
August 4th, 2012
12:02 am
Doing great Chris!
Bravefaninok
August 4th, 2012
12:03 am
Thanks Chris!
Spartygw
August 4th, 2012
12:04 am
What is martins contract? I love that guy, I hope he’s signed for many years to come.
Bryan
August 4th, 2012
12:09 am
6TH!
Diamondback.Mac
August 4th, 2012
12:10 am
Chris
Great job with the comments. Thanks.
Pippa's hiney
August 4th, 2012
12:12 am
Good work from the AJC
J-MAN
August 4th, 2012
12:30 am
Good team win tonight. Noone really stood out one way or the other, but a just good overall team performance. Hudson was shakey early but settled down and ate up very important innings, and even Fredi did a good job with pulling Huddy at the right time and set up his Bullpen perfectly. Now I really wanna see Maholm tomorrow. Lets win tomorrow and hopefully the Fish will do their part.
JoshTown
August 4th, 2012
12:41 am
Good win for the Bravos. Take it to em’ again tomorrow. Great job, Chris!
Who Me?
August 4th, 2012
1:10 am
Nice work at the Ted tonight, nice job of Viv standing in for DOB…this is why the baseball blog rules the sports page….
lee maye
August 4th, 2012
1:16 am
Who was the homer scorekeeper that gave Uggla a gift? The Astros announcers were laughing. They said it was an error? Uggla still on target for 180 K’s and 15 errors after his throwing error. The guy needs to quit lifting. He can’t throw at all. A good 2B usually makes less than 5 errors in a season. That would be a guy like Prado.
bulldogbubba
August 4th, 2012
1:47 am
Great job reporting Chris. Come hang with us any time sir. Good Night!
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NorCal Brave
August 4th, 2012
2:30 am
Good quotes, Chris. Braves at last seem to be transforming into a team built for the Ted: solid pitching and defense, and manufacturing runs without constantly trying to hit it out of the park. I realize it’s odd to say this after a game where we strand another boatload of base runners.
Thrashers Fan!
August 4th, 2012
2:40 am
Vivlamore killed the Thrashers
J-MAN
August 4th, 2012
3:09 am
How did he kill them did he throw a toaster in the Thrashers birdbath…….
Its Hockey in the Southeast and people didnt attend the games.
Its simple business I’m amazed that the Marlins and Rays are still in Florida…..And dont blame it on the stadiums because the Marlins just got a Billion dollar stadium and them fans have that stadium about as empty as Montreal in the late 90’s to early 00’s. And Tampa has had a winning team for the last 5 years with a WS appearance and they have virturally no fans in their stadium.
Its just people in Florida just dont want to go to the games because most people in that area are transplants. Heck the Jacksonville Suns, the Marlins AA team sells more tickets than Tampa and Miami.
HIVPositive
August 4th, 2012
3:15 am
Dan Struggla is still bad. Yea, he scored in a run, but baseball experts know that was a fluke. Hey, we will take it, but that doesn’t take away the fact he is still struggling. If he was in New York wouldn’t be getting the special treatment like he does in Atlanta. I’m Braves fun, but I cal it like I see it. If you are making $13 million a year, and have a .208 ba, you deserved to be booed. You can hate New Yorkers for booing their players, but it works for them. Our fans drink too much kool-aid, and expect things will be fine. Braves fans rather boo Venters who doesn’t make any money, who was lights out for us in the past. This season he has been bad. Dan Struggle hasn’t been anything special since he’s been here. If you boo Venters, you better boo Struggla. Yes, we can beat up on mediocre teams, but look what happens when we play teams with winning records. Not so easy for us to win! Put the kool-aid down Braves fans.
J-MAN
August 4th, 2012
3:41 am
The thing about Uggla is he is not giving us many productive outs. He leads the Majors in strike outs. However he is near the lead in walks, so what does that mean. It means that Uggla makes the pitcher throw extra pitches, but his main problem is that he flies out and his shoulder flies out and his eye level has changed. There are hitters that were like that (such as Gary Sheffeld, Sammy Sosa, Andruw Jones, and Vinny Castillia) some never made the adjustments and some developed certain habits such as Sheffields bat waggle or Sosa using the Chipper Jones double-tap swing to keep them from fling out.
But $13 million dollars is unacceptable for a player to have the 3rd worst batting avg in the NL and 5th worst in the Majors among qualified hitters. There are many pitchers who have a higher batting Avg. than Uggla’s .210. I do think Uggla does need some time off, if its being benched or beingSent down to AAA. But there is the Arguement if Uggla didnt have that 30 game hitting streak last year then Uggla would be a sub .200 hitter as a Brave. I think he just needs to take some time away from the game and just recharge his batteries.
J-MAN
August 4th, 2012
3:50 am
I seriously hope Fredi Gonzalez will sit Uggla for tomorrow’s game and just let him rest.
1. Bourn CF
2. Prado 2B
3. Heyward RF
4. Chipper 3B
5.Freeman 1B
6. McCann C
7. R. Johnson LF
8. Janish SS
9. Maholm P
J-MAN
August 4th, 2012
4:08 am
Well it appears that Frank Wren has missed on some of his Free Agent signings.
Derek Lowe 4 Yrs $60 mil
Kenshin Kawakami 3 Yrs $ 25 mil
Dan Uggla 5 Yrs $ 65 mil
So maybe this was why Wren didnt sign any players this past offseason.
Now with all the money coming off the books next season the question is will the Braves curse of Free Agnets continue.
lpt nation
August 4th, 2012
5:37 am
j-man has it right with that line up except ugly should stay on the bench let him try pinch hitting for awhile , and i don’t want to here from all the business men want a be’s that say we can’t sit him he makes to much money .Nobody here really knows how baseball money really works. first thing you would have to know is how much money the braves make you cant get that answer. I think we might be shocked.The # would be alot higher than anyone would guess BENCH HIM and lets get ready for the 500 + teams GO BRAVES
Wrecker
August 4th, 2012
5:50 am
We are 21-20 against teams with winning records not named Washington. What were you saying about playing well against winning teams? Washington has our number. From 2007-2011, we were 44-46 against them, despite that they were 128 games below .500 during that period.
Wrecker
August 4th, 2012
6:01 am
Uggla’s WAR is 1.6, meaning he contributes to 1.6 wins above a replacement player. If you take out Uggla and put Martin at 2B, you have to replace Martin in left. The WAR statistic for the potential replacements are Hinske (-.6), Diaz, when healthy (-.9), R. Johnson (-.2 with Braves), and Costanza down in Gwinnett (.4).
All of the other options are negative, plus you put Martin at a position he has played 3 times in the past three years. I think Fredi will rest Uggla by putting Prado in at 2B and Johnson in left, but it will only be for a game here and there.
Wrecker
August 4th, 2012
6:13 am
Wren has drafted:
Sean Gilmartin
Mike Minor
Andrelton Simmons
Matt Lipka
Todd Cunningham
He has signed as free agents or traded for the following:
David Ross, best backup catcher in the league
Brandon Beachy, best pitcher on the staff before injury
Paul Maholm, we will see
Craig Kimbrel, best closer in the league
Ben Sheets, virtually free No. 5
Michael Bourn, all-star CF
Lobosolo
August 4th, 2012
6:13 am
Here y’all go again…. J-MAN, copying stuff you’ve read about the technicalities of swinging a bat doesn’t make you sound like you know what you’re talking about, nor does stating the obvious…. changing your blog name doesn’t either…. Braves are in the midst of a terrific run and y’all just GOTTA find something to cry about…. J-MAN, you were gone for awhile and the baseball I.Q. on here was raised (albeit just a tad) in your absence…. Stick to being a good fan and leave the critiques to someone who knows what they’re talking about…. maybe if you’d go to a local batting cage and hopelessly flail at the max 70 mph pitches you’d have a smidgeon of a clue as to what batters face at 90… I really wish you would, and be sure to use all of the “expertise” on batting that you so generously spew on here…. I’ll bet a dollar to a doughnut you wouldn’t even touch most of the pitcehes… what is it, Man? Did you play baseball really good for nine years like Larry the Legend? if you didn’t, how in the world did you come to be a hitting critiquer? How do you compare the batting average of a few pitchers, who bat every 5th day? Only the self-deluded would make such a ludicrous statement…. Uggla will get through his troubles in time, but it surely won’t be becaiuse of your expert advice….
Now, when you see this, the proper rebuttal should be in your own name… Using my name to post bad grammar-riddled remarks is a thinly-veiled attempt at one-upmanship of a childish note….
“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Baseball”… available at your local bookstore or on-line… you experts run go get it and try to enjoy a great pennant race while you still can….
Way to go Fredi and the Bravos!!! Inches away from the best record in baseball…. HELLUVA job so far!!! The real fans have your back!!!
Bench Uggla
August 4th, 2012
6:15 am
J-MAN….. Your line up looks good to me. Uggla needs to work out his issues somewhere other than on the ball field. I’m thinking maybe with a Psychiatrist or Optometrist.
Wrecker
August 4th, 2012
6:27 am
Uggla ranks as follows among qualified NL second basemen:
1st in BB
3rd in HR
3rd in RBI
4th in OBP
7th in OPS
1st in pitches seen and Pitches/plate appearance
3rd in HBP
1st in IBB
7th in Runs Created
5th in ISO power
1st in Secondary average
2nd in BB/K (despite being second in SO)
I'm not J-MAN, but....
August 4th, 2012
6:39 am
Lobosolo………. Here’s is the difference of a fan facing a 90 mph fastball and Uggla facing a 90 mph fastball. Baseball players, after they make it past AAA, are considered the “best of the best”. And when they are named an all-star they are considered the elite of their sport. And they are compensated accordingly by today’s MLB salary standards. Uggla’s salary is $13m plus. He was “hired” to play defensively while committing a minimal amount of errors and to at least make occasional solid contact with the ball when he is at bat. His fielding is better that his hitting although he did commit a stupid throwing error last night. Also last night, the official scorer gave him a hit on the soft pop up that the SS got leather on. I guess the scorer is feeling sorry for Uggla with his pathetic batting performance this season.
Your average fan probably doesn’t make more than $50,000 p/year. Doesn’t get paid to hit 90 mph fastballs. But spends some of his hard earned money to go to games, etc in support of his team.
So, in essence, WE are paying Uggla’s salary only to watch him lead all of MLB in strike outs with
a BA of barely .200. That’s why we, the fans, would like to see Uggla take a break for a few days and get his head straight.
longtimefan
August 4th, 2012
6:52 am
Thanks Wrecker for infusing some balance and rationality regarding FW and Uggla. Some “fans” constantly dwell on the negative aspects of the team. There is NO team in MLB that has every position player having great years, all their SP in top form etc. There is no GM with any kind of track record that hasn’t either traded for or signed a FA he wished he hadn’t. When FW assumed control of the team of the team 5 years ago the SP was decimated. Lowe a proven innings-eater MLB SP with a good track record. H didn’t pitch that badly for the Braves the first 2 years winning 15. Kawakami didn’t work out. Sixteenth highest payroll in MLB with tith the fifth best record. Don’t tell me that’s not doing your job. If you don’t like FW because of the way he parts his hair or talks, say so, but you can’t argue with his success this year.
WBuckATC
August 4th, 2012
7:10 am
IN case you did not se it, D. Lowe was designated for assignment last week by the Tribe. He started off hot and then cooled quickly. when he was DFA, he had more Walks than K’s.
The WAR numbers on Reed are from his time with the Cubs. Should not consier them wiht a winning club.
Kimbrel is lights out. and displsy the intensity that is needed for a closer. EOF looks to be back in form. Rest of the pen is loking good. Avilan and Gearrin have done well sinc ehtye were called up.
I was hoping Uggla was gogin to get hot. Other than Janish (he is here for the tough D he has played) every other regualr is hitting. The 3456 of JH, FF, Chip, and Mac are in the zone. Even on outs, they are hitting the ball wiht authority, Hopes Uggla can get on track.
longtimefan
August 4th, 2012
7:13 am
Among 20 qualifying second basemen in MLB, Dan Uggla ranks fifth in HR and RBIs and fourth in OBP. Yes, his BA is anemic, but he is still getting on base, he is still hitting for reasonable power and he is still driving in runs. Statistics say he will probably catch fire soon, just like last year. NOBODY can say the guy doesn’t give 100% each day. He runs out every ground ball and you don’t see him act like an a** because his hitting is down. To the people who keep referencing his physique-really?-that’s a reason to dislike a guy, because his arms are bigger than yours?
Wrecker
August 4th, 2012
7:14 am
Reed Johnson +0.7 with Cubs, -0.2 with Braves so far.
Ray
August 4th, 2012
7:19 am
Team wins 9 out of 10 and there are complaints. In regards to Uggla, a day off may not be a bad thing. However, the lineup as a whole is producing. Uggla for his career has typically turned it on in August.
@longtime you are correct. Wren has given the Braves the pieces. Fredi, whether you like him or not is doing his job and that is put the team in position to win. Execution happens on the field. Execution is being done and like I said 9 out of 10. Another words, scoreboard. The only measurement that counts.
Backdoor Slider
August 4th, 2012
7:19 am
FREDI’S NON-COMMENT
When Fredi was asked above if he was trying to talk Chipper into not retiring, did you notice how he dodged the question — and not very ably at that?
I get the distinct impression that Fredi is somewhat intimidated by Chipper.
Fredi may very well sense that the players look more to Chipper for leadership than to him — and undoubtedly have more respect for Chipper as well.
And rightfully so!
Chipper commands respect, while Fredi does not!
Ray
August 4th, 2012
7:30 am
@backdoor,, could it also be that Fredi has too much respect for Chipper to make a concrete comment to open up a can of worms. Also it could be the fact that Fredi thought it was a stupid question and was not going to give it any dignity. The team is in the middle of a tight race. The last thing they need is something that is a non-story to take away from their focus. If you want a manager that causes drama, start following the Redsox, Valentine will give you plenty to comment about. Are there any bridges left for Valentine to burn as he attacked Buster Olney in his latest idiotic comments.
74bravesjersey
August 4th, 2012
7:31 am
Man, I can sure appreciate Reed Johnson’s fiestiness, his swag, awesome pick-up. Look’n foward to see-in Maholm bring’n it today. Keep Da’ SWAG roll’n Bravos! FYI – 2gms behind dem nats.
braveshoo
August 4th, 2012
7:35 am
2 games back and charging.
74bravesjersey
August 4th, 2012
7:47 am
This is the first time the whole start’n staff makes you feel a better sense of ease (all 5 – Hudson,sheets,minor,medlen,& hope’n Maholm keeps it roll’n) that these guys bring a little Mojo in their starts. I personally feel this should be the 5 to go w/ through the rest of the schedule. Kinda suspicious why Hanson put on DL. His mechanics make me squint to much, because his pitches los’n velocity, & he leaves ‘em over the plate too much. Too fat too many times. Sure he’s won 12 games, but the Braves had to bring good run support in alot of those starts. I held my breath for in each pitch. He & Jurjens always left shaky. Minor was like that for a while, but he’s really Matured. He get’ after it. I remember Moholm gett’n after it against us on several occasions. Woner what his career stats (record) was against us?
74bravesjersey
August 4th, 2012
7:53 am
This current 5 Get’s after it FG, lest the wheels fall off dis’ machine, leave it alone. These 5 have the SWAG! I know people will say still remains to be seen about Maholm, & I hope he doesn’t disapoint, but I recolect he was one of the hotter pitcher’s for the lil’ bears in recent starts. Show ‘em you’re MOJO Pauly.
74bravesjersey
August 4th, 2012
7:58 am
Dang!, that 74bravesjersey needs a good brush up on his grammer this mornin’. Excuse the mispelled “woner”, meant to have a “d” for “wonder”. Sheesh! I embarrase my self constantly.
Sammy
August 4th, 2012
8:01 am
74bravesjersey- I agree 100%. this is a good 5 man rotation
bravesgrl4life
August 4th, 2012
8:04 am
Thanks for the quotes, CV! Nice to know even when DOB and CR are unavailable, there’s still an AJC reporter who cares about the Braves and the fans enough to stay up late blogging and putting the notes together.
Hoping Maholm goes out there today and puts on a show! My Chicago sister-in-law told me to “keep your hands off Dempster; he’s our best pitcher” and I told her we didn’t really want him anyway. She didn’t say anything about Maholm. I know this, in that last game in Chicago on May 9, Maholm shut the Braves down. Huddy did a great job that day, too, and didn’t allow a run until the later innings, but Maholm wasn’t even giving up many hits, IIRC. He frustrated the heck out of the Braves. Hoping he can do that FOR the Braves now!
Larry
August 4th, 2012
8:13 am
Wrecker,
WAR is a statistic measure of past performance and not necessarily a predictor of future performance. Regardless, anyone with more than a double-digit IQ can clearly see that Uggla has struggled at the plate since the first day of Spring Training and this is statistically significant. Further, if he was doing as well as you suggest then why has he descended in the batting order?
On another subject, I’m not a fan of Heyward in the 3 hole. The best hitter on our team–when he’s healthy and feels up to playing is still Chipper Jones a lifetime #3 hitter until Gonzalez bumbled on the scene.
64 year Braves fan
August 4th, 2012
8:20 am
Let’s finally give Wren some credit for the things he has done right with a tight budget. First he brought
up Simmons from AA at the right time. Then he picked up Janish when Simmons got hurt. Got Sheets
for practically nothing. Made a great deal with the Cubs and didn’t have to give up Teheran or Delgado.
Now if only he could talk Fredi into benching Uggla, moving Prado to 2nd, and Johnson in left.
Can’t have an infielder who hits worst than a pitcher in the lineup every day.
Ray
August 4th, 2012
8:31 am
Larry, Fredi switches up the lineup a bit. The braves are right now at their hottest point of the season. The team is among the leaders in all of MLB in runs scored lately. Results are the key measure and when you win 9 out of 10, I would say something is working right.
Wrecker
August 4th, 2012
8:39 am
Larry: All statistics are a reflection of past performance, by their very definition. If you have a statistic that predicts future performance, please share so that we can all go to Las Vegas and make millions. WAR takes into account Uggla’s value in reaching base more often than most of the other 2B in the league. Uglla is struggling to get hits, which is not the same as struggling at the plate. He also hits for more power than all but about 2 2B in the league, and is thus more valuable than a replacement second baseman. He has also saved 4 runs above a defensive replacement and represented 12 runs above a replacement player.
Please remember to compare apples with apples, 2B with 2B. Outside of Brandon Phillips and Chase Utley in the NL, and maybe Weeks and Hill, Uggla is one of the best run-producers.
John Pappadoppagapoulas
August 4th, 2012
9:06 am
Gees Wrecker, there you go letting the facts get in the way of a good argument.
Yogi Berra
August 4th, 2012
9:12 am
I’m not J-Man..well said!
74bravesjersey
August 4th, 2012
9:19 am
Several things about this team makes you feel pretty good, Janish, he’s been more than adequate fill-in, Reed Johnson has swagger, knows how to play the game. Clutch Hitter. Start’n 5(current) makes you feel pretty good about’em when they’re bein’ ran out their. Like the Bullpen, looks strong, healthy. Bench now looks li’l better now w/Reed Johnson who is scrappy, has good approach, doesn’t get suckered too much. Wouldn’t mind if they would be able to call up Gattis, & or Mejia for one more RH stick(Thumper). Oh yeah, Props to Francisco, who is bein’ clutch up their now & fillin’ in admirably for chipper. He’s seems to be makin’ better decisions, & smarter at the plate, not bein’ a flail’n sucker at the plate. Locked in to his zone better, looks like a hitter now, not an easy out flailer. The only main concern on the team is uggla. Gotta expect consistency. not be an easy out, cause’ if he ever catches fire, Look out! We all waitin’ for ya Dan. You’re LOOOONG Overdue Bro. Long Overdue. Keep this for post season hopefully.
74bravesjersey
August 4th, 2012
9:22 am
FW; Props too ya, been on ya for a while, glad you did get shrewd – sort of, but good deal, moneyball!
Buckbaloweme
August 4th, 2012
9:25 am
The Braves will sit back and hope Uggla comes out of his slump and then when the playoffs start and he ’s still doing nothing and the Braves get eliminated the front office will make all kinds of excuses as to what happened. Correct this problem now so we dont have to hear the BS later.
Amber Girl
August 4th, 2012
9:28 am
Good morning Mr Yogi Berra and 74 braves jersey. UPDATE: Whiskey in hospital. Very weak. Doctors have no hope. DUMB Amber off for now.
kmarshall 4
August 4th, 2012
9:36 am
they are not going to sit uggla get over it people he is great team player if you sit him you mess with the chemistry of the team not gonna happen he does waste at bats at times no argument there get simmons back soon and keep it rollin go braves here we come nats stop the beachin oh by the way the players love him!!!
Ralph
August 4th, 2012
9:37 am
Uggla’s hit on a dropped pop up yesterday was the worse call by a hometown scorer I have ever seen, clearly an error all day long. I mean I would love to see Ugg get a double everytime he comes to bat but, lol
bobbymahlon
August 4th, 2012
9:39 am
A pop fly to the shortstop that was dropped is a hit,a double no less if I was scoring a high scool game it would of been an error and these are BIG league players. How much is Uggla paying the score keeper.
Larry
August 4th, 2012
9:42 am
On another topic, does the AJC consider the Olympics a sport?
Click on “Sports” above, then click on “TV” for times and channel for today and tomorow’s sports coverage and show me where you find Olympic coverage time and channel?
Geez!
bobbymahlon
August 4th, 2012
9:49 am
I just love “Kimbrel Time ” boy would I hate to bat against him it does not seem fair for him to throw 99 and than throw a 87 slider. I saw him strike out Albert Pujols one night like he never played the game before. His control improvement has changed his whole game around.
PaulG
August 4th, 2012
9:51 am
Larry…go to school..take a course on how to predict behavior…past performance predicts future performance…WAR is a useful predictor…used by all intelligent GMs for deals…..Uggla , not my favorite ball player, nevertheless, is an interesting player….as either ray or wrecker pointed out he has what we call a lot of secondary stats that cumulatively point out that he is worthwhile . bill James has written good stuff on this.
By the way, BA is a weak predictor & SOs are trivial if a player has a good OB% ….Adam Dunn is a great example…very valuable…..on the other hand King Kong Kingman was a good example of where
his SOs were a tremendous detriment because he couldn’t get on base outside of a HR
Jay
August 4th, 2012
9:56 am
That was clearly NOT a base hit that Uggle received. Home cookin’…makes us look bad.
Amber Girl
August 4th, 2012
10:06 am
DUMB Amber is back
74bravesjersey
August 4th, 2012
10:30 am
No Amber You’re not; quit say’n that, don’t want to hear that anymore, & tell uncle whisk everyone who knows ‘em here we all thinkin’ of ‘em(in our hearts), he’s a fighter, tell ‘em we need him, stay strong, from all of us.
Amber Girl
August 4th, 2012
10:33 am
What am not supposed to say? That I am not Dumb Amber. Sorry but it is true.
74bravesjersey
August 4th, 2012
10:46 am
“Uggs” doesn’t give up on hustle(on defense & runn’n the bases, I can appreciate that. I think he’s turn’n the corner offensively, hopefully! He still puts his heart into it. I think he’s still gotta re-scope his approach at the plate, try to save the atbats better, not get suckered in so easily. Turn up the plate discipline. I believe he can. I’ve seen him too long even when he played w/ the Marlins, he use to kill us. One of those hitters that caused us to say Dang! he’s up again. & he showed some of that last year, during that 33 gme hitt’n streak. Mabe, just mabe, he’ll catch fire in this month & september. I’m believ’n & hope ‘n for ya big Dan. Cause, we’ve seen you at you’re best, you can rake & thump w/ the best of ‘em. I’m feel’n pretty good about our 2 other young Thumpers down on the farm, ones been hurt for awhile but came back a thump’n the other day, Gattis & Mejia, Or the 2 Big ‘E’ Boys; Evan almighty, & mighty Ernesto. Man could be our Trout & Trumbo. Fired up & anxious here! Wish we could expand the roster for 2 more. FW; They gotta be keepers. They’ll make us more threats in Da’ Lineup.
74bravesjersey
August 4th, 2012
10:47 am
This group plus 2 more I’d Love to go to war with.
Ray
August 4th, 2012
10:49 am
How does the scorer giving uggla a hit make the braves look bad. If you are going to complain just to complain you have that right. I guess when a team wins 9 of 10 you have to come up with something to complain about. IF the braves win the WS let’s say in 6 games, some will complain because they didn’t sweep.
Ray
August 4th, 2012
10:52 am
OBP is much more important than batting average. The primary job of a hitter is to get on base. Who cares how he does it whether its a hbp, bb or a hit.
Amber Girl
August 4th, 2012
10:53 am
@74bravesjersey Are you Ok? Great game last nite. Do you think Braves will catch Nats? Dumb Amber will brb.
Amber Girl
August 4th, 2012
11:03 am
I’m back
jharber
August 4th, 2012
11:05 am
Amber How is Whiskey this morning?
ijudgenot
August 4th, 2012
11:06 am
Uggla was not given a 5 year $13mil contract because he hustles on every play. He was not given that contract because he walks a lot. Wren signed him to bring power balance to a too heavy lefthanded hitting team. Before Wren signed him all the Braves star power hitters were lefthanded hitters except Chipper and Prado(McCann,Freeman,Heyward, and Henski). Opposing pitchers are starting to look for where he is in the lineup to see where they can go for an out when they are in trouble like last night.
No one on this blog hates Uggla. he is a good guy, but the questiob is now when you get to the 7th place hitter(where he is now) with a runner on second, who at this time do you think would have a better shot at driving him in , Uggla or Jo
ijudgenot
August 4th, 2012
11:06 am
Uggla was not given a 5 year $13mil contract because he hustles on every play. He was not given that contract because he walks a lot. Wren signed him to bring power balance to a too heavy lefthanded hitting team. Before Wren signed him all the Braves star power hitters were lefthanded hitters except Chipper and Prado(McCann,Freeman,Heyward, and Henski). Opposing pitchers are starting to look for where he is in the lineup to see where they can go for an out when they are in trouble like last night.
No one on this blog hates Uggla. he is a good guy, but the questiob is now when you get to the 7th place hitter(where he is now) with a runner on second, who at this time do you think would have a better shot at driving him in , Uggla or Jo
Amber Girl
August 4th, 2012
11:13 am
@jharber Hanging on. Very weak. Doctors have no hope. Mom and I on our way to hospital now. Have update later. See you soon.
J-MAN
August 4th, 2012
11:14 am
I’m not bashing Uggla but when you are making 13 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!!! You should be hitting better than .210. And since June he has hit a little over .100 with 1 HR. But you can try to rationalize poor performanc all you want but the the numbers never lie. I did give Uggl some slack because he at least collects walks, and I’ll even say he runs well and plays hard, no doubt about that. But your being paid $13 MILLION DOLLARS. We gave Uggla a break for last year because he was coming to a new team, but he is having a worse statically this year. Also striking out does the team no good because you cant make any productive outs and advance runners. Also anyone with a pai of eyes and see how Uggla tries to uppercut and swing for the fences instead of haing a more level swing and trying to just make contact. Do I think Uggla is a bad player….No I actually like him but he is underperforming and I dont know why that is. Maybe he is trying too hard or just cant make adjustments. But when you are making 260 times the average salary your not gonna catch a lot of sympathy it my be harsh but its true.
J-MAN
August 4th, 2012
11:16 am
I’m not bashing Uggla but when you are making 13 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!!! You should be hitting better than .210. And since June he has hit a little over .100 with 1 HR. But you can try to rationalize poor performanc all you want but the the numbers never lie. I did give Uggla some slack because he at least collects walks, and I’ll even say he runs well and plays hard, no doubt about that. But your being paid $13 MILLION DOLLARS. We gave Uggla a break for last year because he was coming to a new team, but he is having a worse statically this year. Also striking out does the team no good because you cant make any productive outs and advance runners. Also anyone with a pair of eyes and see how Uggla tries to uppercut and swing for the fences instead of haing a more level swing and trying to just make contact. Do I think Uggla is a bad player….No I actually like him but he is underperforming and I dont know why that is. Maybe he is trying too hard or just cant make adjustments. But when you are making 260 times the average salary your not gonna catch a lot of sympathy it my be harsh but its true.
Ray
August 4th, 2012
11:18 am
Not to speak for someone else, but I think the point about Uggla hustling on every play is he is not sulking and feeling sorry for himself while he is in this slump. Some players that go into a funk start dogging it. Making it worse.
jharber
August 4th, 2012
11:27 am
Amber tell Whiskey we are thinking of him and hang tuft.
John Lenin
August 4th, 2012
11:31 am
I see nephew and Lobo already revelling in their joys. To answer your question, Lobo, as to why I’m not a major league manager, the reasons are many. But the main reason is that I don’t know the right people and don’t have the proper connections.
Lobo, anytime your retort or comment is lengthier than the actual blog is a good indicator that you are rambling, and no one wants to read that much puke. Shut it and revel in your joy….I’m serious man, that was funny.
J-MAN
August 4th, 2012
11:39 am
Ok the resident “Genius” lamosolo is out it again with his same old “Armchair fan” schict. All you do is say the SAME thing over and over and over again. in fact you never post anything of your own or show your own opinion instead all you do is complain AFTER someone posts. In fact all you can do is complain about people showing an opinion and if it happens to be a negative or critical opinion then the fans are “Armchairs”. Really, well are you are is reactionary and someone that only exists to gripe at others opinions because you dont have your OWN OPINION to use. And its ok I’m here to let you come out and be “Mr. Opposite” once again. But, I guess with having your head so far up your @ss really allows you to have some prospecive. I mean you grace us with your presence as the “only true Braves fan” and your “genius” and how everybody else is just “Armchairs”. And now your “grammar proficiency” is just so far beyond everyone. (BTW this is sarcasim) SOOOOOOOO…..
Get over yourself lamosolo
John Lenin
August 4th, 2012
11:47 am
Backdoor Slider, spot-on with your observations regarding Chip v. FG. I thought it was Fredi who came up with the nicknames for the players, but as I read more of Chipper’s comments, it is actually HIS pet names for his teammates. Wouldn’t it be great if Larry took over as our true skipper next year???
J-MAN
August 4th, 2012
11:52 am
@ John Lenin. There are a lot of people that have said that Chipper is the real manager anyways
Ray
August 4th, 2012
12:02 pm
@John, just so I have a clear understanding in your comment. Are you saying the only MAIN reason you are not a major league manager is because you don’t know the right people?
Amber Girl
August 4th, 2012
12:12 pm
I’m Sorry but DUMB Amber is back. Sadly I have to inform who ever is concerned that Whiskey has passed away. I am crying and very upset. So DUMB Amber will sgn off for now, Thank you for all the prayers.
ajc can be better
August 4th, 2012
12:13 pm
Be nice if AJC would put up Washington’s score from previous day as they do the Braves box on main online sports page.
It’s fairly relevant to the Braves and their fans as we approach the stretch.
Damn tv news sports is worthless on that front too.
You’re lucky to get 2 minutes of sports in a 3 hour stretch of local news (4-7)…..But you’ll sure get an hour and half of freaking weather reports in same period….ughhh!!!!
PaulG
August 4th, 2012
12:17 pm
Ray…that’s what I read….Lenin for manager,Stalin for pitching coach, Putin for GM….man, I wouldn’t want to be a brave pitcher with Josef calling the shots….produce orSiberia
more sports!
August 4th, 2012
12:21 pm
TV news can add “If it gets wet, it’ll be first you can bet” to “If it bleeds it leads” on all broadcasts.
I can look out the window and see it’s raining……give me the 5 day forecast in 30 seconds and 30 seconds of anything bad approaching. That’s all the weather report I need. Not 30 minutes of Panic if it simply rains. BFD, so it’s raining…deal with it
?
August 4th, 2012
12:23 pm
Who’s Whiskey? Guess the prayers didn’t work
Be A Grinderer
August 4th, 2012
12:25 pm
Chris, ask Uggla about his 3 month slump. All the other ajc writers fear Uggla.
Ray
August 4th, 2012
12:26 pm
Well many seem to think they can evaluate talent better than the Braves scouting dept. Many feel like they can pull off trades better than Wren and obviously we have at least one feels they can manage better than Fredi. Next we will be hearing, “I didn’t make it in the bigs because I couldn’t hit the curveball.” I enjoy entertaining saturdays
Bear Grills
August 4th, 2012
12:30 pm
My son went 0 for 9 in a little league double-header and said “Dad, I did good didnt I ? I hit as good as Dan Uggla does. “
Bear Grills
August 4th, 2012
12:33 pm
I told him to emulate Chipper or Prado as a hitter not Struggla.
PaulG
August 4th, 2012
12:34 pm
Hey ray….what it really is , is delusions of grandeur by many bloggers….what we have here on this blog is a mini psychiatric ward….
jharber
August 4th, 2012
12:34 pm
? Very insensitive comment in my opinion, Whiskey was a fellow blogger.
jharber
August 4th, 2012
12:38 pm
When you live as long as i have, you will learn compassion. Have had many atheist cry out for God in their last seconds.
Ray
August 4th, 2012
12:39 pm
Well I am sure those that sat at the end of the bench of their high school team.. it was the coaches fault and they won their fantasy league a few years ago qualifies for being a top GM.. oh and that 10 yr old team they managed to a championship is all perfect qualifications. @Paul, not a single one of us have ever lost a game coaching on the outside of the fence.
Skeezix
August 4th, 2012
12:45 pm
Re: Uggla’s woeful YTD 2012 performance.
First, the scorers ruling that pop up as a double was a joke as the Astros SS’s glove clearly came in contact with the ball. I don’t blame the Astros for laughing about it. Even my sweet wife (no expert on the rules by any means) asked how that could be ruled a hit. Second, I just have to wonder if he can’t handle the pressure. The pressure comes from two sources–the high expectations everyone had of him and the fact that in Atlanta the fans, other players, and coaches expect to go to the playoffs every year. When he comes to the plate in critical situations, which is a lot, he rarely performs. He must be tensing up and thinking too much. Thus we get pop ups, dribbles, and strikes out. It is ad to see for him and the Braves. We really do need another power hitter if we are going to make a deep playoff run. Right now he is a big black hole in the line up.
Skeezix
August 4th, 2012
12:47 pm
Correction…..It is sad to see for him and the Braves…………
Ken Stallings
August 4th, 2012
1:45 pm
Looking at the remaining schedule for the Braves, the recent fire sales for the Marlins and Phillies have set up an interesting outcome. All those late season games first thought to be bitter fights among contenders now mean the Braves have only 16 games remaining against teams with better than .500 records!
The Braves now appear set to play most of their remaining games against teams who have the spoiler motivation.
PaulG
August 4th, 2012
1:47 pm
Jharber….learn how to read….where does it say that whiskey is part of the ” many bloggers”? ….thats your pathology in making such inferences…..my blog was in direct reference to rays comments about the bloggers who think they have the expertise to manage etc..if you ever followed whiskey blogs its patentedlyobvious he never said the stupid things that ray referred to in other bloggers
John Lenin
August 4th, 2012
2:07 pm
“@John, just so I have a clear understanding in your comment. Are you saying the only MAIN reason you are not a major league manager is because you don’t know the right people?”—Ray
Ray, let me reiterate…there are many reasons why I am not a MLB manager or an NFL head coach or any other professional sports skipper; HOWEVER, the main reason I am not or you are not or most everyone else who would like to be…is that we don’t know and are not connected enough with the people who could appoint us to that position. Name just 1 MLB manager who wasn’t connected that got appointed to said position.
What world do you live in that affords no-names the same opportunities to be appointed big league titles as those who rub elbows with the ones who make it happen?
If my brother owned a MLB club, I can guarantee you my chances would greatly improve.
John Lenin
August 4th, 2012
2:15 pm
“Ray…that’s what I read….Lenin for manager,Stalin for pitching coach, Putin for GM….man, I wouldn’t want to be a brave pitcher with Josef calling the shots….produce orSiberia”—PaulG
Nephew, I have no doubt that’s what you read…you never have been very bright…but we can hope, can’t we?
Your uncle should be very familiar with being able to land a job based on his connections.